It has been said that Texans are a proud bunch and I suppose that's true. And maybe I am being a little too bold to even entertain the idea that Santa could possibly be from Texas. But IF he was I wrote this poem to describe how I imagine he would be.


If Santa Was From Texas

If Santa was from Texas instead of up north where there's snow,
I bet he'd be a different feller from the Santa we all know.
Oh he'd still be jolly but he wouldn't wear that funny little hat.
Why no self respecting Texas would cover his head like that!
No, it'd be a Stetson with a 5 inch brim that's red.
And no fake fur for this cowboy it'd be 100X instead.
His boots would be Justins with tall stitched red tops.
And the soles would be magic so up the chimney he could hop.
He'd wear Billy Klapper spurs for when he rides his horse.
And his jeans would be Wranglers, cowboy cut of course. He'd wear a red silk bandana and leather gloves on his hands.
And a red Carhartt to keep him warm as he flies across the land.
He'd haul his gifts around in a wagon made for freight.
Cuz a sleigh don't works so good her in the Lone Star State.
And it'd be pulled by 8 Texas Longhorn steers.
Cuz out here in the West you won't find many artic reindeers. And those steers would be broke to fly and on the nights that's there's a fog.
He'd call on Ol' Rudy, his red nosed border collie dog.
His tow sack would be filled with tack for cowboys that were good.
And he'd have toys for girls and boys just like Santa should.
On Christmas Eve he'd sneak in to every ranch and bunk house.
And except for the jingling of his spurs he'd be as quiet as a mouse.
He'd leave his gifts around all the cedar Christmas trees.
For folks to find come morning and they'll be sure to please.
He'd fill every sock that's hung by the fireplace with care.
And everyone would know that the Texas Santa had been there.
Then with a click of his heels he's up the chimney with a jolly Yee-Haw!
And as he rides away you can hear him holler, Merry Christmas y'all!

Academy of Western Artists Winners

Western Music Male...Randy HustonWestern Music Female...Jennifer LindWestern Music Duo/Group...Rocking HWWestern Music Yodeler...Gary McMahanWestern Music Album...Lynn Anderson "Cowgirl II"Western Music Song...California Cowboy Band "Cowboy Blue"Western Swing Male...John EnglandWestern Swing Female...Carolyn MartinWestern Swing Duo/Group...Saddle CatsWestern Swing Album...Saddle Cats "Herdin' Cats"Western Swing Song...Les Gilliam-Oklahoma 1955Western Swing Instrumentalist...Buddy SpicherPure Country Male...Frankie MillerPure Country Female...Heather MylesPure Country Duo/Group...Jake Hooker & the OutsidersPure Country Album...Georgette Jones "A Slightly Used Woman"PUre Country Song.. Darrell MCall "Fast As I Can"Disc Jockey....Cary Hobbs, KTMP-AM, Heber City, UTRadio Station...KTMP-AM, Heber City UT Cowboy Poet....Ken Cook, SDCowgirl Poet....Teresa Burleson, TXCowboy Poetry Album/CD...Jessica Hedges "History In The Barn", WABuck Ramsey Book Award...Dawn Nelson "A Cowgirl Remembers When", WA Western Artist....John Kittelson, WYCowboy Cartoonist....Brenda Lee Nichols, WASaddlemaker....John Willemsma, OKSpurmaker.....Ray Anderson, TXEngraver....Stewart Williamson, NMGarnet Brooks Memorial Chuckwagon Award....Don & Shirley Creacy, TXWill Rogers Lifetime Achievement.....Alvin Davis, TXDon King Memorial Saddlemaker Award...Forest Shupe, CA

A Day in the Life of a Barnyard Diva

Yesterday I got home from work at a ranch down the road, and I changed into something a little more comfortable. No, not a lacy nightie or a cute pair of shorts. I put on a white t-shirt and my blue checkered pajama pants that hit just below my knees. (My usual pink ones were in the dirty clothes hamper). I fixed a little supper and then it was time to go out to feed. So I slipped on my black rubber boots and headed out the door.

I fed the goats and gave the old nanny a good pettin and then I went on to feed the horses.

The horses needed water so while the trough was filling I provided them some dinner music by singing Cowboy Moon and Don't Fence Me In. I used to sing Cowboys Sweetheart to them but the yodeling spooked them.

After shutting off the water I headed back towards the feed shed to put up the buckets. I decided that my goats needed a treat so I grabbed the saw and found some low hanging branches on the oaks trees to cut off for them. I love the way they get so excited when I throw those branches over into thier pen. They love to eat leaves!
After that was done and I put the saw up and I decided to mow a little. My husband was on the John Deere riding lawnmower so I started up the push mower and mowed around the house.

As I was mowing I wondered what the passing traffic on the Farm to Market Road we live on thought about my outfit. Then I thought, Who cares?

About that time my husband whistled at me, no not a wolf whistle as if to say he thinks I'm cute, he whistled loud to get my attention over the sound of the mower. He wanted me to help him put out a round bale. I am the official gate opener. So, we put out the round bale. I opened and closed the gate and hopped on the tail gate of the pickup for a ride back to the house. We were done for the day.

I love my life. I truly do. It is the life I always wanted. Of course in my fantasy I imagined more money and less bills. But I know how fortunate I am to have what I have. And I don't mean just the material possesions or the handsome husband or the good children and grandchildren we have. Or the wonderful friends that enrich my life on a daily basis. I am so fortunate that I have so much joy in my life. And that joy comes from my faith in my Lord. And it comes from that fact that I have the wisdom to recognize my blessings and to appreciate what I have. I count my blessings and not my trials.
Now its 7pm and I've gotta go feed again. this time I'm wearing my pink pajama pants with my black rubber boots!

Learnin' Cowboy Lessons

Texas! When you say that to some people it conjures up images of cowboys on horseback and cattle grazing on the prairie. Some folks in foreign countries think we still fight Indians in Texas and Oklahoma!

I know a barrel racer from Illinois that saw Urban Cowboy as a young girl and wanted to move to Texas, marry a cowboy and live in a mobile home. She laughs about it now because she did move to Texas and she did live in a mobile home but without the cowboy!

And then there is the lady I knew that was bound and determined to marry herself a real cowboy! And that is a great plan but the problem was that she was looking for her future cowboy husband in the bars at the historic Stockyards of Ft. Worth.

She was a well educated person with a Masters degree and all! But she was a city gal that liked the notion of living the western lifestyle. She had a good idea but went about it the wrong way.

Bless her heart, she isn't the only person that thinks you will find a cowboy hanging out in the bars. So many people think that if a man is wearing a cowboy hat or boots that he is a cowboy.

According to Dictionary.com a cowboy is:
1. a man who herds and tends cattle on a ranch, esp. in the western U.S., and who traditionally goes about most of his work on horseback.
2. a man who exhibits the skills attributed to such cowboys, esp. in rodeos.
(Dictionary.com has some other definitions of cowboy that I won't go into because I don't agree with them and I'll save that for a different blog.)

I wrote a poem about the city gal that was looking for a cowboy in all the wrong places. And those who know real cowboys will understand what I am trying to say.

And by the way, she is getting married soon to a fine man but he isn't a cowboy, he is a city boy and more of a fit for her.

-----
Learnin' Cowboy Lessons

You go to the bars and honky-tonks 'neath the lights of neon blue,
Hopin' to find yourself a cowboy who will someday say "I do."

You think if you find a real cowboy he'll be everything you need.
Your lookin' for a cowboy knight to the rescue on his trusty steed.

You say you want a feller with a hat, boots and tight wrangler jeans.
Well I have to tell ya that's not what being a real cowboy means.

But since you're a high falutin' city gal I can't expect you to know,
You won't find many real cowboys in those places that you go.

Now I don't mean to hurt your feelin's and I sure don't mean to be rude,
But it's time that you learned the difference between a cowboy and a dude.

And if you do find a real cowboy that wants to partner up for life,
There's some things you need to learn before you become his wife.

First you'll learn a cowboy is a good man, you'll find there is none better,
But I hope you like his cologne, it's called eau de' Horse Sweat and Leather.

You'll learn the stock comes first, and sometimes you'll take second place.
But rest assured he can't wait to get home to your sweet smilin' face.

And get used to having dirt and manure all over your nice clean floor,
'Cuz even though he wipes his feet, upon his boots is stuck a little more.

And when you get all gussied up and you're ready for a night on the town,
Don't be surprised if he ain't plum wore out and he meets your smile with a frown.

You gotta learn the difference between a wanna be and a cowboy that is real.
It's not in what he is wearin', a cowboy just has that certain appeal.

It's not in how he looks, it's a way of bein' that comes from the heart.
And not many people know it but cowboyin' is a work of art.

You'll learn cowboy is a man of honor and for his God and freedom he will fight.
A real cowboy stands up for what he believes in and he stands for what is right.

And you will find that he is usually kind and treats you in a respectable manner.
He tips his hat to the ladies and takes it off for the Star Spangled Banner.

And you'll learn a cowboy is true cuz he rides for the brand and lives by the cowboy code.
And there's plenty of REAL cowboys still out there, you just cant see 'em from the road.

Now I aint saying you wont find your cowboy one of these Friday or Saturday nights,
But you'll come more near finding him further away from these city lights.

And I know some cowboys like to dance and some might go out for a drink or two,
But you need to learn, Honey, if he's lookin' for a wife, he ain't in no bar lookin for you.

By Teresa Burleson

Children are so funny! They see things in a whole different way than adults do. And they are so easily influenced.

And as adults we have a huge responsibility to be a good role model for the children in our lives. We can so easily change a childs thinking, good or bad, with our words and actions.

But I also believe we, as adults, can learn a lot from children.

This morning at church my little 4-year-old friend Elizabeth was sitting in my lap and a man was singing a song called Give Me Jesus. After several chorus' of Give Me Jesus, Elizabeth had a puzzled look on her face and whispered in my ear, "But Jesus is heavy!" I almost laughed out loud! I guess she thought he was asking someone to literally give him Jesus and place him in his arms. She thought Jesus would be too heavy for him to carry. I'm glad we aren't too heavy for Jesus to carry.

Last weekend my grand daughters, Cassie 15 and Dorothy 12, came to stay the weekend with us. Since they live a long way from us I meet my daughter half way, at a taco place, to pick up the girls. And this time, we went inside the taco place to eat and I locked my keys in my truck! But the Lord was watching out for me and up pulled a firetruck. The fire fighters were coming to get something to eat. They unlocked my truck for me. From there we went to Wal-Mart and I was hoping for a close parking spot. I said, "I need a good parking spot, I'm tired." And what do you know! A car pulled out of a real good spot! Next we headed home and I was complaining about catching every red light. My 12 year old grand daughter said, " MiMi, just think of all the good things that have happened today."
How quickly I forgot about the blessings I had just received in the last hour! I told her thank you for reminding me.

And children come up with the funniest ideas! Another grand daughter, Emily, that is 10 walked out with me to check the horses water. Our gelding Tuffy was standing there relaxed and as gelding sometimes do, he had let a certain "private part" of his anatomy relax and drop down. Emily saw this and told me that he was "airing it out." I said, "oh really?" And she said yes because the only time horses let it out is when they are airing it out or going to the bathroom. And he isn't going to the bathroom so he must be airing it out.

Now where on earth did she come up with that?! I am going to remind her of that story when she is 18 and brings her boyfriend to meet me.

But children need guidance from us and they need to learn of their heritage from us. If we don't pass it along how will they know?

I am reminded of a ery good poem I heard once. Several years ago I heard a man recite a poem that he had written for his Grandson. With his permission I have used that poem when I perform for children. I have modified to fit my style but I only added two lines. The poem is titled Make A Hand and is the story of a grandfather telling his grandson how to make a good hand. A good hand is cowboy lingo for being a good worker, good at what you do. It has a great message whether you are a child or an adult.

Make A Hand

So a cowboy's what you want to be, and a hand is what you want to make.
Well sit down here little partner, and I'll tell you what it's gonna take.

First, don't ever shirk a duty, and be cheerful in your every task.
And if there's something you don't know, don't be afraid to ask.

Now never give a man your word with an idle breath.
And the only time you ever cheat, is when you're cheating death.

Be proud of what you stand for and the trail you chose to ride.
Be loyal to your calling son, don't ever break your stride.

What's that you say?
You thought we'd talk of hoolihans and how to sit your saddle?
About how to start a colt and how to read the cattle?

Well, you'll learn those things by doing and you'll develop you own way.
But with these things you'll earn respect and that's worth more than pay.

Remember to trust in God through the good times and the tests,
And always work so you can say you have done your best.

Just keep these words I gave you and soon enough you'll understand,
It takes a lot to be a cowboy, but it takes more to make a hand.

By Michael Darden Dowd

Girlfriends

The older I get the more I appreciate the special relationships in my life.
Of course, my husband is at the top of that list. And I have several male friends that are like brothers to me.
But the relationships I have with my girlfriends become more valuable to me with each passing day.
There is a special bond between us, a "knowing" that we are riding the same trail together. We share the same physical and hormonal changes, the same challenges with family, children and work and all that entails. We get joy out of some of the same things. We share some of the same heart aches.
No matter how much we love our husbands, they will never understand some of the emotions and trials we deal with as women.
Because of that understanding, we are always there to root each other on. We are in each others corner cheering for our sisters.
I am blessed to have several special women in my life that make up the sisterhood that I am referring to. God has put some wonderful, intelligent, talented, loving girlfriends in my life.
I wrote this poem to honor those relationships. I am so thankful for my girlfriends!
--
Girlfriends
by Teresa Burleson

I love my husband and he loves me, I know this is true,
And I need him, but girlfriend, he can't take the place of you.

He will never know what it's like to have a bad hair day,
Or why its so important that my jeans fit a certain way.

He can be sweet and kind and swears he treats me like a queen.
Then he accuses me of having PMS when HE is acting mean!

He'll never experience the heartbreak of water weight gain.
But girlfriend, you know, I think life won't ever be the same.

With you I can weep and bawl and not have a clue as to why.
But he thinks I should have a dern good reason to cry.

I know I can tell my girlfriends and they will understand.
And if they don't it don't matter, they'll accept me as I am.

He is handsome, strong and virile, a regular manly man. And he can do anything, at least I believe he can.

But he don't know that when I feel fat and ugly I don't want pity.
Even if I swear I'm not, I still want him to say I'm pretty!

He'll never experience the pinch and poke of binding underthings.
Or the feeling of being beautiful that the perfect outfit brings.

He'll never know the nuisance of wearing hi-heels and panty hose,
Or understand the true meaning of, "I've got to powder my nose."

He doesn't have a clue about make-up, purses or shoes,
Or that sometimes a girl is just gonna get the blues.

He can try all day to understand but I guess it is fate,
There are some things about women that men can't relate.
But he is forever my cowboy and I'm forever his wife.
And I thank God for him... and the GIRLFRIENDS in my life!

Patience

Patience: an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay. (Dictionary.com)

Patience has never been one of my strong points. And that definition certainly does not describe me!
But I do try to be patient and to wait upon the Lord. I am not always successful.
Sometimes life takes us to places that we don't understand or where we don't want to be. We wonder how we got there and why we are in a particular situation.
It could be that the place we are in is a trail to the destination God has in store for us. Or it could be that He is waiting on us to grow or to change or to learn. .
Looking back on the last 2 years of my life I can see the trail that God has led me down. I did not always understand it. I questioned it. I was restless and annoyed. But God was faithful and He always heard my prayer.
For 14 years I have driven a 100 mile round trip to work and back. I spent 2 hours a day driving when I would rather be at home. But the last couple of years it has been so hard. Morning after morning I would get up at 4:30am to get ready for a job that was not what I wanted to do. There were days that I had a bad attitude. There were days that I thought I would not be able to keep doing it. But I did with Gods grace.
My prayers did not fall on deaf ears. God was listening.
And finally I see a new trail I am heading down. This trail runs right in front of my house and it ends 9 miles down the road that I live on. I start my new job tomorrow, July 26th, at Chris Cox Horsemanship. His ranch is 9 miles from my home, well, 9.2 miles to be exact. I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off of my shoulders. I will save about $400 a month on gas and have 2 extra hours at home each day.
I'm not nervous or anxious about starting a new job. It is exactly where I am supposed to be.
So if you are struggling with something in your life, pray and tell God your needs and try to be patient. Don't give up and continue to believe. There is hope.
Psalm 25:5; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

"Always saddle your own horse" - Connie Reeves

Connie Reeves had the same kind of spirit and grit that was found in the pioneering woman that helped settle the Western frontier. She had moxie!

She was the oldest living member of the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. At the age of 100, she rode in a parade when the Cowgirl Museum opened its new building.

Connie died in 2003 at the age of 101 after being thrown from her favorite horse, 28 year-old Dr Pepper.

Connie graduated from Texas Women's University and then attended the University of Texas School of Law, (She was one of the first women to study law at the University of Texas) but left school to take a job during the Great Depression because her family needed the money.

She went on to teach at two San Antonio high schools and at one she founded a drill team which is still in existence.

I could go on and on about her accomplishments and awards but the thing that I think was most important was the legacy she left for thousands of young ladies.

Connie was also a riding instructor at Camp Waldemar for Girls since 1936 and taught more than 30,000 girls to ride. But she taught much more than riding to these young ladies, she also taught self-reliance -- and that is why her motto was: "Always
saddle your own horse"
She not only wanted them to literally saddle their own horse but I believe she wanted the girls to be accountable for their own actions and for their own future.

Girls and women in this era have so many opportunities available to them and it is because of pioneering women like Connie and many others that rode down the trail before us.

Connie Reeves was a legendary woman with the
strength and character as big as Texas.

(It is women like Connie that inspired my poem The Cowgirl Way. If you will go to my page on this web site and read my poem, The Cowgirl Way, you will see I used Connie's motto.)

Heros

In this day and time it is hard for me to find a person that I consider "Hero" material. For the most part, Hollywood and music idols lack integrity and morals. Sports figures seem to think they are above the law and have no sense of propriety. And politicians... I'm not even going there. There is so much controversy and drama that there are television programs that are dedicated to reporting all the latest arrests, break-ups, wardrobe malfunctions, etc of the stars, athletes and politicians.
Having said all that, I will tell you that July 6th is the 12th anniversary of one of Americas most loved hero's, Roy Rogers, King of the Cowboys!
I wasn't born until 1958 (yes, I'm THAT old!) and the television show that he starred in with his wife, Dale Evans, aired from 1951 to 1957. But there were reruns and the memories of my parents and older siblings.
Oh to have heros like him and Dale for our children to look up to.
And not only did he and his wife provide us with role models and entertaining movies with a lesson in each one but they gave us music and songs that will last forever.
You will see on my profile page on this website,Always Cowboy.net, a poem that I wrote about Roy and Dale. I hope you will take a few minutes to read it.
We may never have the likes of Roy Rogers in this day and time but each of us should keep in mind that we touch lives everyday. The people we come in contact with each day, no matter how fleeting, are affected by the things we say and do. Or by what we don't say or do. With a smile, a kind word, a please or a thank we may change the course of someones day. And in our private lives, are we being a good role model for our children and grandchildren or the neighbors children?
We may not be able to touch as many lives as Roy Rogers but we can make a small difference in the life of a down and out stranger or in the life of a child.
It sure is something to aspire too!
Happy trails!
Teresa Burleson texascowgirlpoet@yahoo.com

Howdy!
Welcome to the first edition of Chasing Tumbleweeds.
I chose the name of my column from one of my favorite stories, Conagher.

Conagher is a western film based on a Louis L'Amour novel of the same name, starring Sam Elliott as Conagher and Katherine Ross as Evie. It is the story of a woman that went west with her husband but was widowed soon after. She lived out on the prairie and became so lonely that she began to write notes and tie them to tumbleweeds. She just wanted to share her heart. The tumbleweeds would blow across the prairie and Conagher would find the notes on them and he eventually fell in love with Evie through the things that she wrote in the notes. And Evie fell in love with the wilderness: One of my favorite parts of the movie is when she says, "You don't know what music is until you hear the wind in the cedars"

What a romantic Western love story. Conagher is one of my favorite movies. Am I a romantic? You bet yer boots I am! Aren't all poets?

So I am going to tie notes to the tumbleweeds of the world wide web and let them blow across cyberspace. I just want to share my heart. I hope the notes you find are entertaining and thought provoking. Maybe you'll even fall in love with me!

So until next week, Sit tall in the saddle and pull yer hat low, may the Lord ride with you where 'er you may go.
Teresa Burleson Cowboy Poetry the Cowgirl Way texascowgirlpoet@yahoo.com

Testing!

This is a test of the email posting feature of the blog of Chasing Tumbleweeds with Teresa Burleson!

WELCOME!

WELCOME TO CHASING TUMBLEWEEDS
with TERESA BURLESON!

Featured at ALWAYS COWBOY, CHASING TUMBLEWEEDS shares the thoughts, news, events, cowgirl & cowboy poetry of Cowgirl Poet and horsewoman Teresa Burleson. This Texas Cowgirl Poet also plans on sharing the lives and histories of Cowgirls and Cowboys of the past and the lifestyles of present day Cowgirls and Cowboys.



Teresa's writings are award nominated and range from humorous to inspirational. She lives the life she writes about and gives her all to preserving the Cowgirl Way.

Join Teresa CHASING TUMBLEWEEDS and at ALWAYS COWBOY where you can read her Cowgirl Poetry!

"Listen to the wind and look what just blew in on the tumbleweeds!"